Container lid assembly and insert constructions

ABSTRACT

A beverage container lid assembly and insert enable a user to selectively control contained beverage movements when outfitted upon a beverage container. The lid assemblies include a primary lid form having a primary beverage outlet and a circular transverse cross-section and a secondary lid attachment cooperably engaged with the primary lid form for providing certain beverage flow diversion structure. The secondary lid attachment is rotatable relative to the primary lid form about a lid axis of rotation. The lid assembly may be attached to a beverage container such that the user may manually rotate the secondary lid attachment relative to the primary lid form for manually and selectively positioning the beverage flow diversion structure relative to the primary beverage outlet. The container insert includes a container-engaging first portion and a beverage-damping second portion. The second portion extends inwardly relative to the first portion for deflecting upwardly directed beverage.

PRIOR HISTORY

This application claims the benefit of or priority to (1) U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/042,520 filed in the United StatesPatent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on 27 Aug. 2014 and (2) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/547,287 filed in the USPTO on 19 Nov. 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a lid construction orassembly for outfitting a hot beverage container. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a combination lid-insert construction orassembly for outfitting a hot beverage container for enabling thedrinker to selectively transfer heat from a hot beverage prior toconsumption, controlling beverage movements from a lid-outfittedbeverage container and preventing spillage of beverage from such anoutfitted beverage container.

Brief Description of the Prior Art

The broad field of lids for hot beverage containers and hot beveragecontainer assemblies inclusive of lids is exceedingly well-developed.The art relating to means for cooling hot beverages prior to consumptionby way of a lid construction or assembly is a bit more limited. In anycase, it is most difficult to pinpoint with precision the most pertinentart relevant to the present invention given the wide swath of art sweptby beverage container constructions and developments in the field of artgenerally. Nevertheless, some of the more pertinent prior is believed tobe briefly described hereinafter.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,493 ('493 patent), which issued to Robinson, forexample, discloses an Integrally Molded Measurer Dispenser. The '493patent describes a closure providing a side wall having first and seconddistal ends, an inner surface and an outer perimeter. A cone-shapeddivider projects inwardly and upwardly from a lower perimeter of theside wall and includes a drain-back orifice therethrough. Thecone-shaped divider further includes an apex having an openingtherethrough. The closure further provides a lid pivotally attached atan outer diameter thereof to the outer perimeter of the side wall firstdistal end by an integral hinge. The lid includes a shaped substantiallyconforming to the side wall perimeter.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,390 ('390 patent), which issued to Kemp, discloses aContainer Lid with Cooling Reservoir. The '390 patent describes acontainer lid with a cooling reservoir for releasably covering adisposable cup containing a hot beverage. The cooling reservoir includesa side wall with a small opening to allow a small volume of the hotbeverage to pass into the cooling reservoir in which the beveragesufficiently cools down to enable the consumer to sip the beverage.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,173 ('173 patent), issued to Milan, discloses aBeverage container lid having baffle arrangement for liquid cooling. The'173 patent describes a removable beverage container lid wherein the lidhas a substantially enclosed space defined between an exterior cover andan interior cover. At least one inlet opening is formed in the interiorcover directing a hot beverage to flow into the substantially enclosedspace. Attached to the interior cover at the forward edge of the inletopening is a partition or wall assembly having a height extending to belocated substantially against the exterior cover and a length at leastequal to the length of the inlet opening. Between the partition or wallassembly and the peripheral edge of the exterior cover is located a gaparea. Connected with the gap area is a dispensing opening formed in theexterior cover. Hot beverage is required to flow around the partition orwall assembly and into the gap area prior to flowing through thedispensing opening exteriorly of a beverage container.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,895 ('895 patent), issued to Smith et al., disclosesa Reclosable Container Lid. The '895 patent describes a reclosable lidfor a beverage container comprising a first piece or cover, and amovable second piece or disk. The cover has a top wall, a side wall anda mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The coverhas an opening adapted to permit the flow of the substance through thelid. The cover further includes a slot located in the top wall. The diskhas at least one aperture, a post, and a projection.

The aperture and the projection are each cooperatively dimensioned withthe opening. The post is adapted to be received by the slot in thecover. The disk is movable between a first position wherein at least aportion of the projection is received in the opening in the firstposition, and a second position wherein the aperture is aligned with theopening in the second position. A support ledge and a support edge on aninner surface of the cover are adapted to provide rotatable support tothe disk.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,510 ('510 patent), which issued to Pavlopoulos,discloses a Cup Assembly having a Cooling Compartment. The '510 patentdescribes a cup assembly comprising a cup and a lid to definetherebetween a first passage and a second passage to allow a liquidcooling compartment between the lid and the cup to be filled with liquidcontained in the cup when the first passage is clear and the secondpassage is blocked and the liquid in the liquid cooling compartment isable to flow out of an outlet in communication with the liquid coolingcompartment when the second passage is clear and the first passage isblocked.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,768 ('768 patent), issued to D'Amato, discloses aReclosable Lid for a Container. The '768 patent describes a lid for apaper cup type container. The lid is detachably mountable onto the edgeof an opening of the container. The lid comprises a lower lid part withan inner outlet opening, and an upper lid part with an outer outletopening. In an assembled position, the upper lid part is mountedrotatable relative to the lower lid part between at least two positions,such that the outlet openings are mutually aligned in one position andare without any overlap in the other position. The lower lid part has acircumferential mounting flange for overlapping the opening edge of thecontainer, and the upper lid part has a circumferential mounting flangefor overlapping the mounting flange of the lower lid part.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0062943, authoredby Bosworth, Sr., describes a container lid for a cup-type beveragewhich includes within the lid a disc-shaped media in which the lid isadapted to be releasably affixed to the beverage container and where thelid is protected from the beverage within the container and wherein thedisc may be removed from the lid and utilized for entertainmentpurposes.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264150, authoredby Leon et al., describes a disposable beverage cup a disposablebeverage cup that comprises a ledge between the cup's rim and thegrasping portion of the cup that is commonly held in the user's hand.The ledge, which comprises a curb, a horizontal plane, and one or moreindentations, acts as a barrier between the user's hand and otherobjects, preventing a lid that has been press fit onto the cup's rimfrom being dislodged. In order to remove the lid, the user must insert afinger and/or thumb into the indentation(s) and press upward on the lid.The cup has a contour between the ledge and the grasping portion withergonomic features to increase the user's comfort in handling the cup.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0320220, which wasauthored by Hussey et al., describes a plastic lid for a drinkscontainer, for example, a coffee cup. The plastic lid is provided withan ancillary access facility in the form of an opening or a part of thelid easily removable to form an opening. The ancillary access facilityallows a person to drink from the container without removal of the lid.After the ancillary access facility has been cleaned or de-contaminatedit is protected by the application of a protective cover.

The protective cover may have a variety of shapes, for example, it maycover the entire lid or it may cover only a selected part of the lid,for example, only the area of the lid involving the ancillary accessfacility. The protective cover protects the ancillary access facilityfrom the inadvertent transfer of germs to the drinking area by theperson dispensing the drinks as they push the lid down with their handsto seal the lid to the container top. The protective covers are arrangedto be easily stripped from the lid by the application of mere fingerpressure.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0256394, authoredby Moutty, describes a paper cup comprising a sidewall member having anupper edge, a lower edge, a pair of opposite side edges, a front surfaceand a back surface. Each of the side edges and the upper edge defineupper corners. The side edges are overlapped and are sealed togetheralong an overlapping side seam. A bottom member comprises a peripherallip sealed to the lower edge of the sidewall member. The Moutty papercup construction is remarkable in that it further comprises at least onerigid or semi-rigid rim structure attached to the upper edge of the sidewall member and in that the paper weight of the bottom member is greaterthan the paper weight of the sidewall member.

From a consideration of the foregoing, it will be noted that the priorart perceives a need for a low cost lid assembly and/or container insertusable in combination with a hot beverage container so as to enable theuser to selectively transfer heat from the hot beverage via the lidelements outfitted upon the container prior to beverage consumption andfor preventing spillage of (hot) beverage from the container.

More particularly, the prior art further perceives a need for a beveragecontainer lid assembly or assemblies comprising low cost secondary lidattachments rotatably cooperable with primary lid forms for enabling theuser to more effectively control beverage movements through such anassembly. Further, the prior art perceives a need for a beveragecontainer insert that lends overall rigidity to the beverage containerwhile simultaneously providing beverage-damping or beverage-deflectingfunctionality for the prevention of splashing, for instance, and thusenhancing beverage movement control of the outfitted beverage containeras summarized in more detail hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of a numberof beverage container lid assemblies or container insert constructionsfor enabling a user to selectively and/or manually control beveragemovement(s) from the stage of beverage containment to beverageconsumption. The various lid assembly embodiments attempt to provide auser with an enhanced ability to control beverage movements for thepurpose of effecting enhanced heat transfers and spillage prevention.Key categorical embodiments summarized hereinafter include a number ofembodiments incorporating manual means for effecting rotation of asecondary lid element relative to a primary lid element and a number ofmeans for damping beverage oscillations or redirecting beveragemovements within a beverage container.

To achieve these and other readily identifiable objectives, the presentinvention provides a number of different embodiments of lid assembliesand container inserts. In certain embodiments, the basic invention maybe said to essentially teach or disclose a beverage or liquid containerlid assembly for enabling a user to selectively control beverage orliquid movement(s) therethrough.

The beverage or liquid container lid assembly according to the presentinvention may be said to essentially comprise a primary lid form; asecondary lid attachment rotatable relative to the primary lid form;container attachment means for non-rotatably attaching either theprimary lid form or the secondary lid attachment to a beverage or liquidcontainer; and manually operable means for enabling the user to manuallyrotate the secondary lid attachment relative to the primary lid form.

The primary lid form essentially comprises a primary beverage outlet andthe secondary lid attachment essentially comprises at least one beverageflow diversion structure. The secondary lid attachment is cooperablyengaged with the primary lid form and provides at least one beverageflow or liquid diversion structure having at least one letting aperture.The secondary lid attachment is rotatable relative to the primary lidform about a lid axis of rotation.

The container attachment means are preferably exemplified by arim-engaging groove and function to non-rotatably attach a selectstructure to a beverage or liquid container depending on the particularembodiment in question. Thus, the select structure may be preferablyselected from the group consisting of the primary lid form and thesecondary lid attachment. Manually operable means operable via outer lidsurfacing enable the user to manually locate via rotation of thesecondary lid attachment relative to the primary lid form the beverageor liquid diversion structure relative to the primary beverage or liquidoutlet.

When the container attachment means non-rotatably attach the secondarylid attachment to the beverage or liquid container, the manuallyoperable means are preferably defined by outer lid surfacing of theprimary lid form. When the container attachment means non-rotatablyattaching the primary lid form to the beverage or liquid container, themanually operable means are preferably defined by outer surfacing of thesecondary lid attachment exemplified by at least one protuberance.

In the case of certain lid assemblies, the primary lid forms and thesecondary lid attachments each comprise a radially centralized,downwardly-bowed portion, and the secondary lid attachment isstructurally engaged in inferior adjacency with the primary lid form.The radially centralized, downwardly-bowed portions of the primary lidform and the secondary lid attachment provide an upper lid boundary anda lower lid boundary such that the upper and lower lid boundaries definea beverage-receiving flow channel for effecting heat transfer frombeverage received therein prior to outletting via the primary beverageoutlet.

In the case of certain lid assemblies, the primary lid forms allcomprise a raised upper arc length form and the secondary lidattachments all comprise a raised lower arc length form. The raisedupper and lower arc length forms are nestable and comprise opposed(upper and lower) arc length termini. The opposed arc length terminitogether cooperably provide rotational stop structure for limitingrotation of the secondary lid attachments relative to the primary lidforms.

In the case of certain lid assemblies, the lower arc length forms bothcomprise a radially directed flow return slope structure for directingbeverage flow toward the beverage-receiving flow channel. The raisedlower arc length form may preferably comprise circumferentially spacedrail portions intermediate the opposed arc length termini. The opposedarc length termini of the raised upper arc length form compriserail-receiving notches, and the circumferentially spaced rail portionsare received in the rail-receiving notches and guided thereby forenhancing the user's ability to selectively open and close the beveragecontainer lid assembly.

In the case of one beverage container lid assembly, the secondary lidattachment is ring-shaped and the primary lid form comprises an annular,ring-receiving channel. The ring-shaped secondary lid attachment isreceived in the ring-receiving channel in inferior adjacency to theprimary lid form. The beverage flow or liquid diversion structureprovides a radially peripheral beverage-receiving flow channel foreffecting heat transfer from beverage received therein prior tooutletting via the primary beverage outlet.

The radially peripheral beverage-receiving flow channel is preferablysloped downwardly and radially outwardly for maximizing flow volumeperipherally and thus enhances heat transfer from beverage prior tooutletting via the primary beverage outlet. The secondary lid attachmentof one lid assembly is preferably radially double-walled. The radiallydouble-walled secondary lid attachment provides resilientattachment-to-form engagement within the ring-receiving channel forenhancing beverage flow or liquid diversion control of the lid assembly.

In the case of a second lid assembly, the secondary lid attachment isalso ring-shaped and the primary lid form also comprises an annular,ring-receiving channel. In structural distinction to the first lidassembly, the secondary lid attachment of the second lid assembly isreceived in the ring-receiving channel in superior adjacency to theprimary lid form thereby forming an upper, peripheral,beverage-receiving flow channel for effecting heat transfer frombeverage received therein. Similar to the first lid assembly, the secondlid assembly preferably comprises a secondary lid attachment that isradially double-walled for providing resilient attachment-to-formengagement within the ring-receiving channel.

Certain other alternative lid assemblies are believed to all beessentially characterized by an insert-receiving depression formed inthe primary lid form into which depression the respective secondary lidattachments are pivotally received. Whereas certain assemblies may becharacterized by a ring-shaped secondary lid attachments and anattachment-locating hub also formed as part of the primary lid formwithin the depression, another alternative lid assembly eliminates theattachment-locating hub.

A primary beverage container insert assembly according to the presentinvention provides a beverage container insert for use in combinationwith a beverage container and for controlling beverage movements withinthe beverage container. The beverage container insert according to thepresent invention preferably and essentially comprises acontainer-engaging first portion and a beverage-damping second portion.The beverage-damping second portion is extendable inwardly relative tothe wall-engaging first portion and basically functions to deflectupwardly directed beverage for controlling beverage movement within aninsert-outfitted beverage container.

Certain preferable options for the beverage container insert include aserrated or sectioned beverage-damping second portion for enablingbeverage or liquid to flow through beverage-letting or liquid-lettingtroughs formed in the serrated beverage-damping second portion. Thebeverage-damping second portion may be resiliently actuable relative tothe container-engaging first portion, and thus the beverage-dampingsecond portion may be (a) resiliently actuable for enabling a stackedinsert-outfitted beverage container arrangement, and (b) resilientlyrelaxable for deflecting upwardly directed beverage.

Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features,elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or become apparentfrom, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and objectives of my invention will become more evidentfrom a consideration of the following brief descriptions of patentdrawings.

FIG. 1 is an assembled top plan view of a first beverage container lidassembly according to the present invention showing the first beveragecontainer lid assembly in a first open configuration.

FIG. 2 is an assembled top perspective view of the first beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention showing thefirst beverage container lid assembly in the first open configuration.

FIG. 3 is an assembled anterior edge elevational view of the firstbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the first beverage container lid assembly in the first openconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is an assembled lateral cross-sectional view of the firstbeverage container lid assembly according to the present invention assectioned from FIG. 3 to show in greater detail a beverageflow-receiving channel between an upper primary lid form and a lowersecondary lid attachment of the first beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 5 is an exploded top perspective view of the first beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention showing theupper primary lid form exploded from the lower secondary lid attachmentof the first beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 6 is an exploded anterior edge elevational view of the firstbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the upper primary lid form exploded from the lower secondary lidattachment of the first beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 7 is an exploded lateral cross-sectional view of the first beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention showing alateral cross-section of the upper primary lid form exploded from alateral cross-section of the lower secondary lid attachment of the firstbeverage container lid assembly as sectioned from FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged assembled top perspective view of the firstbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the first beverage container lid assembly in the first openconfiguration.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged exploded top perspective view of the firstbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the upper primary lid form exploded from the lower secondary lidattachment of the first beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 10 is an exploded top perspective view of a second beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention showing anupper primary lid form exploded from a lower secondary lid attachment ofthe second beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 11 is an exploded anterior edge elevational view of the secondbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the upper primary lid form exploded from the lower secondary lidattachment of the second beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 12 is an exploded lateral cross-sectional view of the secondbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing a lateral cross-section of the upper primary lid form explodedfrom a lateral cross-section of the lower secondary lid attachment ofthe first beverage container lid assembly as sectioned from FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged exploded top perspective view of the secondbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the upper primary lid form exploded from the lower secondary lidattachment of the second beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged exploded bottom perspective view of the secondbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the upper primary lid form exploded from the lower secondary lidattachment of the second beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 15 is a first sequential schematic longitudinal cross-sectionaltype depiction of a beverage container outfitted with the secondbeverage container lid assembly according to the present invention shownin a vertical orientation before beverage is redirected toward theprimary beverage outlet.

FIG. 16 is a second sequential schematic longitudinal cross-sectionaltype depiction of a beverage container outfitted with the secondbeverage container lid assembly according to the present invention shownin a first angle of inclination off of a vertical orientation forinletting beverage via letting apertures formed in the secondary lidattachment into a beverage-receiving flow channel of the second beveragecontainer lid assembly.

FIG. 17 is a third sequential schematic longitudinal cross-sectionaltype depiction of a beverage container outfitted with the secondbeverage container lid assembly according to the present invention shownin a vertical orientation with beverage received and pooled within thebeverage-receiving flow channel of the second beverage container lidassembly.

FIG. 18 is a fourth sequential schematic longitudinal cross-sectionaltype depiction of a beverage container outfitted with the secondbeverage container lid assembly according to the present invention shownin a second angle of inclination off of a vertical orientation foroutletting cooled beverage via the primary beverage outlet of theprimary lid form of the second beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged assembled top perspective view of a thirdbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the third beverage container lid assembly in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 20 is a first enlarged top perspective view of a secondary lidattachment of the third beverage container lid assembly according to thepresent invention showing an anterior letting aperture, an anteriorraised flow stop structure, and posterior manual engagementprotuberances formed in a raised arc length formation of the secondarylid attachment of the third beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 21 is a second enlarged top perspective view of the secondary lidattachment of the third beverage container lid assembly according to thepresent invention showing in a different perspective the lettingaperture, the raised flow stop structure, and manual engagementprotuberances formed in the raised arc length formation of the secondarylid attachment of the third beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged top plan view of the secondary lid attachment ofthe third beverage container lid assembly according to the presentinvention showing the letting aperture, the raised flow stop structure,and manual engagement protuberances formed in the raised arc lengthformation of the secondary lid attachment.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the secondary lid attachmentof the third beverage container lid assembly according to the presentinvention showing the letting aperture, the raised flow stop structure,and manual engagement protuberances formed in the raised arc lengthformation of the secondary lid attachment.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a junctionsite between the upper primary lid form and the lower secondary lidattachment of the third beverage container lid assembly according to thepresent invention as enlarged and sectioned from FIG. 25.

FIG. 25 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the third beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention as sectionedthrough the raised flow stop structure.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan sectional view of a junctionsite between the upper primary lid form and the lower secondary lidattachment of the third beverage container lid assembly according to thepresent invention as enlarged and sectioned from FIG. 27.

FIG. 27 is an assembled top plan view of the third beverage containerlid assembly according to the present invention showing the thirdbeverage container lid assembly in the closed configuration.

FIG. 28 is an assembled enlarged top perspective view of a fourthbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the fourth beverage container lid assembly in an intermediatebeverage-cooling, heat transfer configuration.

FIG. 29 is a first exploded enlarged top perspective view of the fourthbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing an upper primary lid form exploded from a lower secondary lidattachment of the fourth beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 30 is a second exploded enlarged top perspective view of the fourthbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing in a different perspective the upper primary lid form explodedfrom the lower secondary lid attachment of the fourth beverage containerlid assembly.

FIG. 31 is an exploded enlarged bottom perspective view of the fourthbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the upper primary lid form exploded from the lower secondary lidattachment of the fourth beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged top perspective view of the primary lid form ofthe fourth beverage container lid assembly according to the presentinvention showing an anterior primary beverage outlet and a posteriorarc length aperture formed in the primary lid form.

FIG. 33 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the primary lid formof the fourth beverage container lid assembly according to the presentinvention showing the posterior arc length aperture and inner attachmentsupports formed in the primary lid form.

FIG. 34 is an enlarged top perspective view of the secondary lidattachment of the fourth beverage container lid assembly according tothe present invention showing anterior letting apertures, an anteriorbeverage flow stop structure, a peripheral beverage-receiving flowchannel, and a posterior manual engagement protuberances formed in thesecondary lid attachment.

FIG. 35 is a reduced top perspective view of the secondary lidattachment of the fourth beverage container lid assembly according tothe present invention showing a primary anterior letting aperture, theanterior beverage flow stop structure, the peripheral beverage-receivingflow channel, and the posterior manual engagement protuberances formedin the secondary lid attachment.

FIG. 35A is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of agroove-protuberance junction site between the secondary lid attachmentand the primary lid form of the fourth beverage container lid assemblyaccording to the present invention, the groove-protuberance junctionsite schematically depicting a groove-received protuberance (otherwiseintegrally formed with the primary lid form) and aprotuberance-receiving groove formed in the secondary lid attachment.

FIG. 35B is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of an abbreviatedraised arc length formation of the secondary lid attachment of thefourth beverage container lid assembly according to the presentinvention, the abbreviated raised arc length formation comprisinglaterally opposed manual engagement protuberances.

FIG. 35C is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of thesecondary lid attachment of the fourth beverage container lid assemblyaccording to the present invention as sectioned laterally through theprotuberance-receiving groove formed in the secondary lid attachment.

FIG. 35D is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a flow stopstructure of the secondary lid attachment of the fourth beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention, the flow stopstructure shown outfitted with secondary, laterally offset, lettingapertures.

FIG. 35E is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of thesecondary lid attachment of the fourth beverage container lid assemblyaccording to the present invention as sectioned laterally through theperipheral beverage-receiving flow channel.

FIG. 36 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of anattachment-to-form junction site of the fourth beverage container lidassembly according to the present invention showing the peripheralbeverage-receiving flow channel of the secondary lid attachment inengagement with an attachment-receiving channel formed in the primarylid form as sectioned from FIG. 37.

FIG. 37 is an assembled lateral cross-sectional view of the fourthbeverage container lid assembly according to the present invention toshow the peripheral beverage-receiving flow channel of the secondary lidattachment in engagement with the attachment-receiving channel formed inthe primary lid form.

FIG. 38 is a first sequential exploded top perspective view of thefourth beverage container lid assembly according to the presentinvention showing the upper primary lid form exploded from the lowersecondary lid attachment of the fourth beverage container lid assemblyin a closed lid configuration.

FIG. 39 is a second sequential exploded top perspective view of thefourth beverage container lid assembly according to the presentinvention showing the upper primary lid form exploded from the lowersecondary lid attachment of the fourth beverage container lid assemblyin an intermediate, beverage-cooling, heat transfer lid configurationand schematically depicting with bent or curved arrow beverageredirection through the fourth beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 40 is a third sequential exploded top perspective view of thefourth beverage container lid assembly according to the presentinvention showing the upper primary lid form exploded from the lowersecondary lid attachment of the fourth beverage container lid assemblyin a fully open lid configuration and schematically depicting withstraight arrows direct beverage flow through the fourth beveragecontainer lid assembly.

FIG. 41 is an assembled enlarged top perspective view of a fifthbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing an anterior letting aperture formed in a secondary lidattachment of the fifth beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 42 is an exploded enlarged top perspective view of the fifthbeverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing an upper secondary lid attachment exploded from a lower primarylid form, the secondary lid attachment being positioned in anintermediate, beverage-cooling, heat transfer lid configuration.

FIG. 43 is an assembled top plan view of the fifth beverage containerlid assembly according to the present invention showing the anteriorletting aperture formed in the secondary lid attachment of the fifthbeverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 44 is a first medial cross-sectional view of the fifth beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention as sectionedfrom FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of anattachment-to-form junction site of the fifth beverage container lidassembly according to the present invention showing the peripheralbeverage-receiving flow channel of the secondary lid attachment inengagement with an attachment-receiving channel formed in the primarylid form as sectioned from FIG. 46.

FIG. 46 is an assembled lateral cross-sectional view of the fifthbeverage container lid assembly according to the present invention toshow the peripheral beverage-receiving flow channel of the secondary lidattachment in engagement with the attachment-receiving channel formed inthe primary lid form.

FIG. 47 is a second medial cross-sectional view of the fifth beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention as sectionedfrom FIG. 43.

FIG. 47A is a first enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of anattachment-to-form junction site of the fifth beverage container lidassembly according to the present invention showing (a) the peripheralbeverage-receiving flow channel of the secondary lid attachment inengagement with an attachment-receiving channel formed in the primarylid form and (b) a portion of a flow stop structure of the secondary lidattachment as sectioned from FIG. 47.

FIG. 47B is a second enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of anattachment-to-form junction site of the fifth beverage container lidassembly according to the present invention showing mated engagement ofposterior protuberances cooperably formed with the primary lid form andthe secondary lid attachment as sectioned from FIG. 47.

FIG. 48 is a first medial cross-sectional view of the secondary lidattachment of the fifth beverage container lid assembly according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 48A is a first enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of ananterior letting aperture site of the second lid attachment as sectionedfrom FIG. 48 showing in greater detail (a) the anterior letting apertureand (b) a radially double-walled construction of the secondary lidattachment.

FIG. 48B is a second enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of anupright posterior protuberance site of the secondary lid attachment assectioned from FIG. 48 showing in greater detail (a) a downwardlyextending first matable protuberance and (b) the radially double walledconstruction of the secondary lid attachment.

FIG. 49 is a first top plan view of the secondary lid attachment of thefifth beverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the anterior letting aperture formed in the secondary lidattachment of the fifth beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 49A is a second medial cross-sectional view of the secondary lidattachment of the fifth beverage container lid assembly according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 49B is a second enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of aninverted posterior protuberance site of the secondary lid attachment assectioned from FIG. 49A showing in greater detail (a) the first matableprotuberance and (b) the radially double walled construction of thesecondary lid attachment.

FIG. 50 is a second top plan view of the secondary lid attachment of thefifth beverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing the anterior letting aperture formed in the secondary lidattachment of the fifth beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 50A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of posterior portionsof the secondary lid attachment as sectioned from FIG. 50 showing ingreater detail (a) the first matable protuberance site and (b) opposedarc length stop structures of the secondary lid attachment.

FIG. 51 is an enlarged top perspective view of the primary lid form ofthe fifth beverage container lid assembly according to the presentinvention showing an anterior primary beverage outlet, an anterior flowstop structure, a peripheral beverage-receiving flow channel, and asecond posterior matable protuberance.

FIG. 52 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the fifth beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention schematicallydepicting an upper beverage-receiving flow channel.

FIG. 52A is a first enlarged fragmentary sectional view of thebeverage-receiving flow channel of the fifth beverage container lidassembly as enlarged and sectioned from FIG. 52 to depict in greaterdetail the relative narrow top-to-bottom space within which beverage isreceived intermediate the upper secondary lid attachment and the lowerprimary lid form of the beverage-receiving flow channel.

FIG. 52B is a second enlarged fragmentary sectional view of thebeverage-receiving flow channel of the fifth beverage container lidassembly as enlarged and sectioned from FIG. 52A to depict in stillgreater detail the relative narrow top-to-bottom space within whichbeverage is received intermediate the upper secondary lid attachment andthe lower primary lid form of the beverage-receiving flow channel.

FIG. 53 is an anterior edge elevational view of a sixth beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 54 is a medial cross-sectional view of the sixth beverage containerlid assembly according to the present invention showing an uppersecondary lid attachment received in an attachment-receiving depressionformed in a lower primary lid form of the sixth beverage container lidassembly.

FIG. 55 is a top plan view of the sixth beverage container lid assemblyaccording to the present invention showing the upper secondary lidattachment received in the attachment-receiving depression formed in thelower primary lid form of the sixth beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 56 is a bottom plan view of the sixth beverage container lidassembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 57 is a first exploded top perspective view of the sixth beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention showing theupper secondary lid attachment in a first rotative closed positionrelative to the attachment-receiving depression formed in the lowerprimary lid form of the sixth beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 58 is a second exploded top perspective view of the sixth beveragecontainer lid assembly according to the present invention showing theupper secondary lid attachment in a second rotative open positionrelative to the attachment-receiving depression formed in the lowerprimary lid form of the sixth beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 58A is an exploded top perspective view of a first alternativesixth beverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing a first alternative upper secondary lid attachment in an openposition relative to the attachment-receiving depression formed in afirst alternative lower primary lid form of the first alternative sixthbeverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 58B is an exploded top perspective view of a second alternativesixth beverage container lid assembly according to the present inventionshowing a second alternative upper secondary lid attachment in an openposition relative to the attachment-receiving depression formed in asecond alternative lower primary lid form of the second alternativesixth beverage container lid assembly.

FIG. 58C is a top plan view of the first alternative upper secondary lidattachment of the first alternative sixth beverage container lidassembly according to the present invention showing a medial plane andwith a tail element and manual engagement protuberance at an offsetangle relative to the medial plane.

FIG. 58D is a top plan view of the second alternative upper secondarylid attachment of the second alternative sixth beverage container lidassembly according to the present invention showing a medial plane andwith a tail element and manual engagement protuberance at an offsetangle relative to the medial plane.

FIG. 59 is a(n exploded) top plan view of a first beverage containerinsert assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 60 is an exploded side elevational view of the first beveragecontainer insert assembly according to the present invention showing afirst upper container insert exploded from a first lower beveragecontainer.

FIG. 61 is an exploded top perspective view of the first beveragecontainer insert assembly according to the present invention showing thefirst upper container insert exploded from the first lower beveragecontainer.

FIG. 62 is a(n assembled) top plan view of the first beverage containerinsert assembly according to the present invention with abeverage-damping second portion of a container insert of the firstbeverage container insert assembly being depicted in a relaxedconfiguration.

FIG. 63 is a first assembled top perspective view of the first beveragecontainer insert assembly according to the present invention showing thefirst upper container insert in assembled relation relative to the firstlower beverage container with the beverage-damping second portion of thecontainer insert of the first beverage container insert assembly beingdepicted in the relaxed configuration.

FIG. 64 is a first assembled side elevational view of the first beveragecontainer insert assembly according to the present invention showing thefirst upper container insert in assembled relation relative the firstlower beverage container.

FIG. 65 is a first assembled longitudinal cross-sectional view of thefirst beverage container insert assembly according to the presentinvention showing the first upper container insert in assembled relationrelative the first lower beverage container with the beverage-dampingsecond portion of the container insert of the first beverage containerinsert assembly being depicted in the relaxed configuration.

FIG. 66 is a side elevational view of a series of four of the firstbeverage container insert assemblies according to the present invention.

FIG. 67 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view the series of four firstbeverage container insert assemblies according to the present inventionas sectioned from FIG. 66, the top most beverage-damping second portionbeing depicted in the relaxed configuration, and the bottom threebeverage-damping second portions being depicted in an resilientlyactuated configuration.

FIG. 68 is a top perspective view of the series of four first beveragecontainer insert assemblies according to the present invention, the topmost beverage-damping second portion being depicted in the relaxedconfiguration.

FIG. 69 is a second assembled side elevational view of the firstbeverage container insert assembly according to the present inventionshowing the first upper container insert in assembled relation relativethe first lower beverage container.

FIG. 70 is a second assembled longitudinal cross-sectional view of thefirst beverage container insert assembly according to the presentinvention showing the first upper container insert in assembled relationrelative the first lower beverage container with the beverage-dampingsecond portion of the container insert of the first beverage containerinsert assembly being depicted in the resiliently actuatedconfiguration.

FIG. 71 is a second assembled top perspective view side elevational ofthe first beverage container insert assembly according to the presentinvention showing the first upper container insert in assembled relationrelative to the first lower beverage container with the beverage-dampingsecond portion of the container insert of the first beverage containerinsert assembly being depicted in the resiliently actuatedconfiguration.

FIG. 72 is a third assembled side elevational view of the first beveragecontainer insert assembly according to the present invention showing thefirst upper container insert in assembled relation relative the firstlower beverage container.

FIG. 73 is a third assembled longitudinal cross-sectional view of thefirst beverage container insert assembly according to the presentinvention showing the first upper container insert in assembled relationrelative the first lower beverage container with the beverage-dampingsecond portion of the container insert of the first beverage containerinsert assembly being depicted resiliently returning to the relaxedconfiguration and with beverage being schematically depicted deflectingtherefrom.

FIG. 74 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of upperportions of a second beverage container insert assembly according to thepresent invention showing the second upper container insert in assembledrelation relative the second lower beverage container with thebeverage-damping second portion of the container insert of the secondbeverage container insert assembly being depicted in a relaxedconfiguration.

FIG. 75 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of aninsert-to-container junction site of the second beverage containerinsert assembly as sectioned from FIG. 74 and showing thecontainer-engaging or wall-engaging first portion of the containerinsert attached to the inner container surfacing in inferior adjacencyto the upper container rim of the beverage container.

FIG. 76 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of upperportions of a third beverage container insert assembly according to thepresent invention showing the third upper container insert in assembledrelation relative the third lower beverage container with thebeverage-damping second portion of the container insert of the thirdbeverage container insert assembly being depicted in a relaxedconfiguration.

FIG. 77 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of upperportions of a third beverage container insert assembly according to thepresent invention showing the third upper container insert in assembledrelation relative the third lower beverage container with thebeverage-damping second portion of the container insert of the thirdbeverage container insert assembly being depicted in a relaxedconfiguration.

FIG. 78 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of aninsert-to-container junction site of the third beverage container insertassembly as sectioned from FIG. 77 and showing the container-engaging orwall-engaging first portion of the container insert attached to theinner container surfacing in inferior adjacency to lower portions of arim bead of the upper container rim of the beverage container.

FIG. 79 is an enlarged assembled top perspective view of a fourthbeverage container insert assembly according to the present inventionshowing the fourth upper container insert in assembled relation relativeto the fourth lower beverage container with the beverage-damping secondportion of the container insert of the fourth beverage container insertassembly being depicted in the relaxed configuration.

FIG. 80 is a top plan view of the fourth beverage container insertassembly according to the present invention with a beverage-dampingsecond portion of the container insert of the fourth beverage containerinsert assembly being depicted in a relaxed configuration.

FIG. 80A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of an upper sectionof the fourth beverage container insert assembly as sectioned from FIG.80 and showing in greater detail the serrated peak and trough formationof the beverage-damping second portion of the container insert of thefourth beverage container insert assembly being depicted in a relaxedconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings with more specificity, the followingspecifications generally describe a number of categorical (hot) beveragecontainer lid assemblies or insert constructions for enabling a user toselectively and/or manually control beverage movement(s) from the stageof beverage containment to beverage consumption. The key aspects of allembodiments attempt thus to impart to the user an ability to moreeffectively control beverage movements for the purpose of effectingenhanced heat transfers and spillage prevention. Key categoricalembodiments described hereinafter include a number of embodimentsincorporating manual means for effecting rotation of a secondary lidelement relative to a primary lid element and a number of means fordamping beverage oscillations or redirecting beverage movements within abeverage container.

With regard to those embodiments incorporating certain manual means foreffecting rotation of a secondary lid element relative to a primary lidelement, the presently described invention provides beverage containerlid assemblies or constructions as at 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600for enabling a user to selectively control beverage movement(s)therethrough. The beverage container lid assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400,500, and 600 may all be said to essentially and preferably comprise afoundational, primary lid form as variously depicted and referenced at10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. Each of the primary lid forms 10, 11, 12,13, 14, and 15 preferably and essentially comprises a primary beverageoutlet as at outlet(s) 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, and a circulartransverse cross-section as generally depicted in FIGS. 1, 27, 43, 53,and 59.

The rotational type beverage lid assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and600 according to the present invention all further preferably comprise asecondary lid attachment as at attachments 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27.All of the secondary lid attachments 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 arecooperably and respectively attached to some portion of the circulartransverse cross-section of the primary lid form(s) 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,and 15, and provide at least one beverage flow diversion orbeverage-damming structure as at structures 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33.Each of the structures 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 preferably comprisesat least one letting aperture as at apertures 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and39.

Involving some rotational aspect, the rotational type beverage lidassemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 according to the presentinvention all further preferably and respectively comprise a lid axis ofrotation as at axes 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45. The secondary lidattachments as at attachments 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 arerespectively rotatable relative to the primary lid form 10, 11, 12, 13,14, and 15 about the lid axes of rotation 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45.

Usable in combination with a beverage container as generically depictedat 46, the rotational type beverage lid assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400,500, and 600 according to the present invention all further preferablyand respectively comprise certain container attachment means fornon-rotatably attaching a select structure to an upper rim 47 of thebeverage container 46, which select structure is respectively selectedfrom the group consisting of either a primary lid form as selected fromthe forms 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 or a secondary lid attachment asselected from the attachment(s) 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27. In otherwords, either a select primary lid form non-rotatably attaches to thecontainer 46 directly or a select secondary lid attachment non-rotatablyattaches to the container 46 directly.

It is contemplated that the container attachment means for non-rotatablyattaching a select structure to an upper rim 47 of the beveragecontainer 46 may be preferably exemplified by a primary rim-receivinggroove or rim-engaging structure as at 48 formed in the selectstructure. In the case of embodiment assemblies 100, 300, 400, 500, and600, it is contemplated that the container attachment means asexemplified by a primary rim-receiving groove 48 may be preferably andcooperably associated with the primary lid forms 10, 12, 13, 14, and 15;and that the container attachment means exemplified by a primaryrim-receiving groove 48 are preferably and cooperably associated withthe secondary lid attachment 23 of assembly 200.

It will thus be understood that assemblies 100, 300, 400, 500 and 600may be viewed as preferably attaching to the upper rim(s) 47 of thebeverage container(s) 46 by way of the primary rim-engaging groove orstructure 48 cooperably associated or formed as part of the primary lidforms 10, 12, 13, 14, and 15 and that lid assembly 200 may be viewed aspreferably attaching to the upper rim 47 of a beverage container 46 byway of the rim-engaging groove or structure 48 cooperably associated orformed as part of the secondary lid attachment 23. In other words, theprimary lid forms 10, 12, 13, 14, and 15 and secondary lid attachment 23preferably do not rotate relative to the beverage container(s) 46.

It will thus be understood that of the several beverage container lidassemblies, beverage container lid assembly 200 is the only illustratedassembly that attaches to a beverage container directly via thesecondary lid attachment as at attachment 23 and not the primary lidform as at form 11. The lid assembly 200 thus preferably comprises aprimary lid form 11 that rotates relative to the secondary lidattachment 23, which primary lid form 11 comprises an upper, secondaryrim-receiving groove or rim-engaging structure as at 49. The upper,secondary rim-receiving or rim-engaging structure 49 mimics the form andfunction of the lower, primary rim-receiving or rim-engaging structure48 but is rotative relative to the upper-outer surfacing 50 of primaryrim-receiving groove or rim-engaging structure 48 of the secondary lidattachment 23.

In other words, the container attachment means of assembly 200non-rotatably attach the secondary lid attachment 23 to the beveragecontainer 46, and certain manually operable means enable the user tomanually locate the at least one beverage flow diversion structure 29relative to the primary beverage outlet 17. In the case of assembly 200,the outer lid surfacing 51 of the primary lid form 11 may befrictionally engaged by a user's hand and rotated relative to thesecondary lid attachment 23 for manually (via one's hand) orienting thebeverage flow diversion structure 29 relative to the primary beverageoutlet 17.

The reader may well consider that certain manually operable means arecooperably associated with each of the assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400,500, and 600, which means enable the user to selectively andrespectively, rotatably and manually locate the at least one beverageflow diversion structure(s) 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 relative to theprimary beverage outlet(s) 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. The manuallyoperable means are operable via manual (or hand) engagement of certainouter lid surfacing, and thus the beverage container lid assemblies 100,200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 according to the present invention enablethe user to selectively control beverage flow rates or movements fromthe beverage container 46 via the beverage flow diversion structure(s)28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33.

In the cases of beverage container lid assemblies 100, 300, 400, 500 and600, the preferred container attachment means are exemplified by primaryrim-receiving groove(s) or rim-engaging structures 48 associated with orintegrally formed with primary lid forms 10, 12, 13, 14, and 15, whichstructures 48 non-rotatably attach the primary lid form(s) 10, 12, 13,14, and 15 to upper rims 47 of the beverage container(s) 46. Themanually operable means of assemblies 100, 300, 400, 500, and 600further enable the user to manually locate the beverage flow diversionstructure(s) 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 relative to the primary beverageoutlet(s) 16, 18, 19, 20, and 21.

The manually operable means of assemblies 100, 300, 400, 500, and 600may be preferably defined by at least one manually engageableprotuberance such as a knob or raised construction. The manuallyengageable protuberances of lid assemblies 100, 300, 400, 500, and 600are preferably and cooperably associated or integrally formed with thesecondary lid attachments 22, 24, 25, 26, and 27 and respectivelydepicted and referenced at protuberances 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56.

In the case of assembly 500, the protuberance 55 extends or protrudesdownwardly and provides a hollow 57 upwardly into which one's finger maybe inserted and force(s) exerted thereby, whereas the protuberances 52,53, 54 and 56 all extend or protrude upwardly for manual engagement. Theelement or protuberance 55 cooperably associated with the secondary lidattachment 26 mates with structure or a protuberance 108 having an upperhollow and cooperably associated with the primary lid form 14 asgenerally depicted in FIG. 47B. The matable protuberances or elements 55and 108 enhance the user's ability to rotatably locate the secondary lidattachment 26 relative to primary lid form 14 in an intermediateposition for cooling beverage 60 prior to consumption.

The manually operable means cooperably associated with assemblies 100,300, 400, and 600 enable the user to manually locate the respectivebeverage flow diversion structure(s) 28, 30, 31, and 33 relative to theprimary beverage outlet(s) 16, 18, 19, and 21 are each furtherpreferably defined by at least two circumferentially-spacedupwardly-extending protuberances (as at protuberances 52, 53, 54 and 56)attached to or integrally formed with the secondary lid attachment(s)22, 24, 25, and 27. In the case of lid assembly 100, the at least twocircumferentially spaced upwardly extending protuberances 52 arereceived in at least two circumferentially spaced arc length aperturesas at 58 formed in the primary lid form 10. In the case of lid assembly400, the upwardly extending protuberances 54 are received in a singlearc length aperture as at 59 formed in the primary lid form 13.

In the case of assembly 300, the upwardly extending protuberances 53extend upwardly intermediate the opposed arc length termini 69 of araised upper arc length formation or form 63 of primary lid form 12. Theopposed arc length termini 60 basically provide stop structure forlimiting the user ability to rotate the secondary lid attachment 24relative to the primary lid form 12. These structural arrangementsenhance the user's ability to selectively open and close the beveragecontainer lid assembly 300. The beverage container lid assembly 300 isdepicted in the closed position in FIGS. 19, 25, and 27.

It will be understood that the primary lid forms 10, 11, and 12 eachpreferably comprise a raised upper arc length form as at 61, 62, and 63,and that the secondary lid attachments 22, 23, and 24 each preferablycomprise at least one raised lower arc length form as at 64, 65, and 66.The raised upper arc length forms 61, 62, 63 and raised lower arc lengthforms 64, 65, and 66 are respectively nestable and each respectivelycomprise opposed arc length termini as at upper termini 67, 68, and 69,and lower termini 70, 71, and 72. The opposed arc length termini as atupper termini 67, 68, and 69 and lower termini 70, 71, and 72 togethercooperatively provide rotational stop structure for limiting rotation ofthe secondary lid attachment(s) 22, 23, and 24 relative to the primarylid form(s) 10, 11, and 12.

The raised lower arc length forms 64, 65, and 66 each further preferablycomprise at least one beverage flow stop or plug structure as at stop orplug structures 73, 74, and 75. The letting aperture(s) as at 34, 35,and 36, and the flow stop or plug structure(s) as at 73, 74, and 75 arepreferably located intermediate the opposed arc length termini as attermini 70, 71, and 72 of the lower arc length form(s) 64, 65, and 66for enabling the user to selectively close the lid assemblies 100, 200,and 300. The circumferentially spaced upwardly extending protuberances52 of assembly 100 are in circumferentially spaced adjacency to theopposed arc length termini as at upper termini 67 for enhancing theeffective moment of force and thus the user's ability to selectivelyopen and close the lid assembly 100.

In the case of assemblies 100 and 200, the lower arc length form(s) eachpreferably comprise a radially directed beverage flow return slopestructure as at 76 and 77 respectively. The radially directed beverageflow return slope(s) 76 and 77 basically function to respectively directcompartmentalized beverage flow 60 toward beverage-receiving flowchannel(s) 78 and 79. In this regard, it will be noted that the primarylid form(s) 10 and 11, and the secondary lid attachments 22 and 23 eachpreferably comprise a radially centralized, downwardly-bowed portion asat 80 and 81, respectively.

The secondary lid attachment(s) 22 and 23 are attached in inferioradjacency to the primary lid form(s) 10 and 11, and the radiallycentralized, downwardly-bowed portions 80 and 81 of the primary lidform(s) 10 and 11, and the secondary lid attachments 22 and 23 providean upper lid boundary and a lower lid boundary, which upper and lowerlid boundaries define the beverage-receiving flow channel(s) 78 and 79.The beverage-receiving flow channel(s) 78 and 79 basically function toeffect or cause heat transfer as at 82 from compartmentalized beverage60 received therein (via the letting aperture(s) 34 and 35) prior tooutletting as at arrows 85 outlet beverage 83 via the primary beverageoutlet(s) 16 and 17 for beverage consumption by the user.

The secondary lid attachments 22 and 23 according to the presentinvention are preferably outfitted upon the primary lid forms 10 and 11so as to form beverage-receiving flow channels as at 78 and 79intermediate the secondary lid attachments 22 and 23 and the primary lidforms 10 and 11 for directing hot compartmentalized beverage 60 throughthe channels 78 and 79 for effecting heat transfer as at 82 from the hotbeverage 60 through the material constructions of the secondary lidattachments 22 and 23 and primary lid forms 10 and 11. Thebeverage-receiving flow channels 78 and 79 are believed to enhanceand/or expedite heat transfer 82 from the hot compartmentalized beverage60 prior to exiting the primary beverage outlets 16 and 17.

The assemblies 100 and 200 thus define certain beverage-receiving flowchannels as at 78 and 79, which beverage-receiving flow channels 78 and79 are located intermediate an upper-outer material layer as may beexemplified by the material construction of the primary lid forms 10 and11 and a lower-inner material layer as may be exemplified by thematerial construction of the secondary lid attachments 22 and 23. Insum, together the primary lid forms 10 and 11 and secondary lidattachments 22 and 23 define beverage-receiving flow channels 78 and 79designed to effect enhanced heat transfer 82 from the hot beverage 60prior to exiting the primary beverage outlets 16 and 17.

The lower-inner material layer(s) or portion(s) 81 of the secondary lidattachments 22 and 23 preferably mimic the contour of the upper-outermaterial layer(s) or portion(s) 80 of the primary lid forms 10 and 11 incross-section as generally and comparatively depicted in FIGS. 4, 7, 12,and 15-18. The mimicking lower-inner material layer(s) as at portion(s)81 and upper-outer material layer(s) or portions 80 essentially minimizethe volumetric space of the beverage-receiving flow channels 78 and 79and provide a relatively narrow or tight for effecting enhanced heattransfer 82 from the beverage 60 prior to its outlet from the primarybeverage outlets 16 and 17.

Referencing FIGS. 15-18, the reader will consider a number of sequentialviews depicting the function of the beverage-flow channel(s) 78 and 79as exemplified by channel 79 according to the present invention. FIG. 15is a first sequential diagrammatic longitudinal cross-sectional typedepiction of a beverage container 46 outfitted with lid assembly 200according to the present invention shown in a vertical orientationbefore beverage 60 is redirected toward the primary beverage outlet 17.FIG. 16 is a second sequential diagrammatic longitudinal cross-sectionaltype depiction of a beverage container 46 outfitted with the lidassembly 200 shown in a first angle of inclination off of a verticalorientation for inletting (as at arrow 84) beverage 60 via lettingapertures 35 into the beverage-cooling or beverage-receiving flowchannel 79.

FIG. 17 is a third sequential diagrammatic longitudinal cross-sectionaltype depiction of the beverage container 46 outfitted with the beveragecontainer lid assembly 200 again shown in a vertical orientation withbeverage 60 received and pooled within the beverage-cooling orbeverage-receiving flow channel 79. FIG. 18 is a fourth sequentialdiagrammatic longitudinal cross-sectional type depiction of the beveragecontainer 46 outfitted with the beverage container lid assembly 200shown in an angle of inclination off of a vertical orientation foroutletting (as at arrows 85) cooled beverage 83 via the primary beverageoutlet 17.

Turning now to beverage container lid assembly 300, the reader may wellconsider that the raised lower arc length form 66 of secondary lidattachment 24 preferably comprises circumferentially spaced railportions 86 intermediate the opposed arc length (lower) termini 72 andthe circumferentially spaced upwardly extending protuberances 53. Theopposed arc length termini 69 of the raised upper arc length form 63preferably comprise rail-receiving notches as at 87. Thecircumferentially spaced rail portions 86 are received in therail-receiving notches 87 and guidable thereby for enhancing the user'sability to selectively open and close the lid assembly 300.

As indicated above, the primary lid form 13 of beverage container lidassembly 400 preferably comprises an arc length aperture as at aperture59, and the secondary lid attachment 25 may further preferably comprisea raised lower arc length form 88 upon which may be formed theprotuberances 54. The raised lower arc length form 88 is received in thearc length aperture 59. The arc length aperture 59 may preferablycomprise opposed arc length termini as at 89, and the raised lower arclength form 88 may preferably comprise opposed arc length termini as at90.

Together, the opposed arc length termini 89 and 90 provide rotationalstop structure for limiting rotation of the secondary lid attachment 25relative to the primary lid form 13 of the beverage container lidassembly 400. The raised lower arc length form 88 may further preferablycomprise a centralized hollow 91 intermediate the protuberances 54,which centralized hollow 91 enables the user to insert form-engagingstructure such as one's finger for enhancing the user's ability tomanually rotate the secondary lid attachment 25 relative to thefoundational, primary lid form 13.

The secondary lid attachment 25 of assembly 400 is preferablyring-shaped and may be alternatively constructed from thermoformedpolymeric material or stamped from polymeric or paper-based materialconstruction. The primary lid form 13 comprises an annular,ring-receiving channel as at 92. The secondary lid attachment may thusbe received in the ring-receiving channel 92 in inferior adjacency tothe primary lid form 13. Circumferentially spaced or peripherallyextending ring-retention ledges, ridges, or protrusions as at 97preferably extend radially inwardly and function to retain thering-shaped secondary lid attachment 25 in the ring-receiving channel92.

The beverage flow diversion structure 31 preferably provides a radiallyperipheral beverage-receiving flow channel as at 93 for effecting heattransfer 82 from beverage 60 received therein via the at least oneletting aperture 37 prior to outletting via the primary beverage outlet19. The radially peripheral beverage-receiving flow channel 93 ispreferably sloped downwardly radially outwardly as at 94 for maximizingflow volume peripherally as at arrow 95 and enhancing heat transfer 82from beverage 60 prior to outletting via the primary beverage outlet 19.

The secondary lid attachment 25 may preferably be constructed so as tobe radially double-walled as at 96 with a resilient or spring-likejunction as at 98. The radially double-walled secondary lid attachment25 thus functions to provide resilient attachment-to-form frictionalengagement within the ring-receiving channel 92. The resilientattachment-to-form frictional engagement between the secondary lidattachment 25 and the primary lid form 13 enhances the user's ability toselectively control beverage flow or movements through the lid assembly400 by providing a snugger fit therebetween for minimizing leakage andthe like.

The primary lid form 13 of the beverage container lid assembly 400further preferably comprises at least one downwardly extendingprotuberance as at 99 and the secondary lid attachment 25 of thebeverage container lid assembly 400 preferably comprises at least onearc length groove structure as at 101. The downwardly extendingprotuberance(s) 99 are received in the arc length groove(s) 101 andguidable thereby as perhaps most clearly depicted in FIG. 35A forenhancing the user's ability to controllably open and close the beveragecontainer lid assembly 400.

The secondary lid attachment 26 of the beverage container lid assembly500 is also preferably ring-shaped and may be alternatively constructedfrom thermoformed polymeric material or stamped from polymeric orpaper-based material construction. The primary lid form 14 of thebeverage container lid assembly 500 preferably comprises an annular,ring-receiving channel as at 102. In the case of the beverage containerlid assembly 500, the ring-shaped secondary lid attachment 26 isreceived in the ring-receiving channel 102 in superior adjacency to theprimary lid form 14 thereby forming an upper, peripheral,beverage-receiving flow channel as at 103 for effecting heat transfer 82from beverage 60 received therein.

The primary lid form 14 of the beverage container lid assembly 500preferably comprises an upwardly extending protuberance or beverage flowstop or plug structure as at 104 in circumferentially spaced relation tothe primary beverage outlet 20. The letting aperture 38 of the secondarylid attachment 26 preferably defines a single beverage outlet or lettingaperture. The user is enabled to selectively open and close the beveragecontainer lid assembly 500 by reorienting the single beverage lettingaperture as at 38 relative to the primary beverage outlet 20.

When the primary beverage outlet 20 and the single beverage outlet orletting aperture 38 are aligned, the beverage container lid assembly 500is in a fully open configuration or state, and when the flow stop orplug structure 104 is aligned with the single beverage outlet or lettingaperture 38, the lid assembly 500 is in a fully closed configuration orstate. When the single beverage outlet or letting aperture 38 isoriented in superior adjacency to that portion 105 of the primary lidform 14 intermediate the primary beverage outlet 20 and the flow stopstructure 104, beverage progressing through the primary beverage outlet20 is diverted or deflected by the beverage flow diversion structure 32and thus serves to effect heat transfer 82 from the beverage 60 prior toconsumption via the single beverage outlet or letting aperture 38.

The secondary lid attachment 26 of the beverage container lid assembly500 is also preferably radially double-walled as at 106 with a resilientor spring-like junction as at 107. The radially double-walled secondarylid attachment 26 also provides resilient attachment-to-form frictionalengagement within the ring-receiving channel 102. The resilientattachment-to-form frictional engagement between the secondary lidattachment 26 and the primary lid form 14 enhances the user's ability toselectively control beverage flow or movements through the beveragecontainer lid assembly 500 by providing a snugger fit therebetween forminimizing leakage and the like.

The ring-receiving channel 102 of the primary lid form 14 preferablyfurther comprises circumferentially-spaced upwardly- (and radially-)extending ring-stop structures as at 109. The secondary lid attachment26 further preferably comprises circumferentially-spaced downwardly-(and radially-) extending ring-stop structures as at 110. The upwardlyand downwardly extending ring-stop structures 109 and 110 limit theuser's ability to rotate the secondary lid attachment 26 relative to theprimary lid form 14 for enhancing the user's ability to controllablyopen and close the beverage container lid assembly 500.

The primary lid form 15 of the beverage container lid assembly 600preferably comprises a circular upper beverage outlet depression as at111 and a radially central attachment-locating hub as at 112. Thesecondary lid attachment 27 of the beverage container lid assembly 600is received in the circular upper beverage outlet depression 111intermediate the radially central attachment-locating hub 112 and aninner lid wall 113 extending upwardly from the circular upper beverageoutlet depression 111. The secondary lid attachment 27 is pivotal aboutthe axis of rotation 45 at the attachment-locating hub 112.

The secondary lid attachment 27 of the beverage container lid assembly600 is preferably and roughly crescent-shaped having opposed crescentends as at 114. As prefaced above, the manually operable means forenabling the user to manually locate the beverage flow diversionstructure (exemplified by structure 33) relative to the primary beverageoutlet(s) 21 are exemplified by protuberances 56, which protuberances 56are preferably located at the crescent ends 114. Protuberances 56preferably extend upwardly and radially within the circular upperbeverage outlet depression 111.

The circular upper beverage outlet depression 111 may further preferablycomprise a radially defined-segment-shaped depression as at 115, whichdepression 115 may be preferably outfitted with a lid insert or tertiarylid attachment structure as at 116. The radially defined-segment shapeddepression 115 may further comprise a chord-defined-segment shapeddepression as at 117. The tertiary lid attachment structure or lidinsert 116 covers the chord-defined-segment shaped depression 117 andcomprises a letting aperture or cutout as at 118.

The secondary lid attachment 27 pivots about the lid insert 116 insuperior adjacency thereto and enables the user to selectively open andclose the lid assembly 600 by orienting the letting aperture or outlet39 in alignment with the letting aperture or cutout 118. It will thus beunderstood that the lid insert or tertiary lid attachment structure 116provides beverage-diverting or beverage-damming functionality and damsbeverage within the depression 117 prior to letting beverage 60 via theaperture or cutout 118. Secondary lid attachment 27 either lets beverageflow as generally depicted in the arrangement depicted in FIG. 58 orstops beverage flow as generally depicted in the arrangement depicted inFIG. 57. The lid assembly embodiment referenced at lid assembly 600 maypreferably comprise a lid insert or tertiary lid attachment structure asat 116, and essentially comprises a secondary lid attachment as at 27.Both of the structures 27 and 116 are cooperable with the primary lidform 15 and are received in depression formations as at 111 and 115,respectively.

Alternative beverage container lid assembly embodiments 601 and 602 asgenerally and comparatively depicted in FIGS. 58A and 58B respectivelycomprise primary lid forms as at 204 and 205, and secondary lidattachments as at 206 and 207. The secondary lid attachments are furthercomparatively depicted in FIGS. 58C and 58D in side by side relation.The reader may well consider that both of the secondary lid attachments206 and 207 may preferably comprise a medial plane as at 218. A tailelement 212 and a manual engagement protuberance 210 on both thesecondary lid attachments 206 and 207 may preferably be located at anoffset angle 219 from the medial plane(s) 218. By contrast, FIG. 58Adepicts alternative tail element 212 and protuberance 210 arrangement ingeneral alignment with the medial plane.

When ring-shaped secondary lid attachment 206 is received in thedepression 208 of the primary lid form 204, the attachment-locating hubas at 112 is received in a hub-receiving aperture 209. The ring-shapedsecondary lid attachment 206 is pivotable about the axis of rotation 45and manually operable via a protrusion or protuberance 210.

The ring-shaped secondary lid attachment 206 comprises a lettingaperture as at 211 and a rotation-limiting tail element as at 212.Primary lid form 204 comprises a tail-receiving depression as at 213with opposed arc length termini as at 214. The arc length of tailelement 212 is lesser than the arc length of the tail-receivingdepression 213 and thus the ring-shaped element may pivot about axis 45,but is limited in doing so via engagement of the termini 215 of the tailelement 212 and the opposed arc length termini 214. The letting aperture211 is thus selectively orientable in superior adjacency to the primarybeverage outlet 216 formed in the primary lid form 204 for selectivelyletting beverage therethrough.

When fish-shaped or disc-shaped secondary lid attachment 207 is receivedin the depression 208 of the primary lid form 205, the disc-shapedsecondary lid attachment 207 is also pivotable about the axis ofrotation 45 and also manually operable via protrusion or protuberance210. The disc-shaped secondary lid attachment 207 also preferablycomprises a letting aperture as at 211 and a rotation-limiting tailelement as at 212. Primary lid form 205 also comprises tail-receivingdepression as at 213 with opposed arc length termini as at 214.

The arc length of tail element 212 is lesser than the arc length of thetail-receiving depression 213 and thus the disc-shaped element may pivotabout axis 45, but is limited in doing so via engagement of the termini215 of the tail element 212 and the opposed arc length termini 214. Theletting aperture 211 is thus selectively orientable in superioradjacency to the primary beverage outlet 216 formed in the primary lidform 205 for selectively letting beverage therethrough. Alternative lidassemblies 601 and 602 basically differ in that assembly 602 eliminatesthe attachment hub 112 and hub-receiving aperture 209 features otherwisepresent in assembly 601.

A number of beverage container assemblies 1000, 1001, 1002, and 1003according to the present invention is generally depicted and referencedin FIGS. 59-80A. All of the beverage container assemblies 1000, 1001,1002, and 1003 according to the present invention incorporate aninventive container insert 192 usable in combination with a (state ofthe art) beverage container as at 46. In other words, the containerinsert 192 is designed for use in combination with a beverage container46 for controlling beverage movement(s) within the space or compartment152 defined by inner container surfacing 193 and/or the container wall194 of the beverage container 46.

The beverage container insert 192 according to the present inventionpreferably comprises a rim-engaging or wall-engaging first portion as at195 and a beverage-damping or beverage-diverting second portion as at196. The beverage-damping second portion 196 preferably extends(radially) inwardly relative to the wall-engaging first portion 195 andfunctions to deflect or redirect (as at arrows 183) upwardly directedbeverage 60 as diagrammatically depicted in FIGS. 73 and 78. Thebeverage-damping second portion 196 thus helps the user control beveragemovement such as preventing beverage splashing or beverage oscillationswithin the space or compartment 152.

The beverage-damping second portion 196 may be serrated or divided intoserrations, sections, or peaks as at 198 with troughs or gaps 197extending therebetween. The serrations or peaks 198 and trough 197structural arrangement(s) of the serrated beverage-damping secondportion 196 enable beverage 60 to flow through (as at vector head 220 inFIGS. 62, 79 80, and 80A) the beverage-letting troughs or gaps 197formed in the serrated beverage-damping second portion 196.

The beverage-damping second portion 196 may be resiliently actuablerelative to the first portion 195 such that when a second container (asat 199) is inserted into an outfitted first container (as at 201) forstacking the first and second containers 199 and 200 as generallydepicted in FIGS. 66-68, the beverage-damping second portion 196 isactuated downwardly into an actuated configuration (as generally furtherdepicted in FIGS. 70 and 71), and resiliently returns to a relaxed,beverage-damping or deflecting or diverting position or configuration(as generally depicted in FIGS. 59, 61, 62, 63, 65, 74, 75, and 77-80A)when the second container 199 is removed from the first container 201.FIG. 73 generally depicts the beverage-damping second portion 196resiliently returning (as at arrow 226) to the relaxed configurationfrom the actuated configuration

The beverage container insert 192 according to the present invention mayfurther preferably be used in combination with a beverage container 46having a radially inwardly sloped inner container wall 194 such that thewall-engaging first portion 195 also has a sloped contour to mimic thesloped inner container wall 194 and provide wedged engagement therewithwhen outfitted at the sloped inner container wall 194 as generallydepicted in FIG. 73. Comparatively inspecting the upper container rim 47versus the container bottom 217, the reader will note that the containerwall 194 is sloped and angled radially inwardly from rim 47 to bottom217.

In addition to adding beverage-damping or deflecting functionality, thecontainer insert 192, preferably of polymeric material constructionprovides added rigidity at the upper end of the insert-outfittedbeverage container (typically of paper-based material construction) ofthe beverage container assemblies 1000, 1001, 1002, and 1003 accordingto the present invention.

In assembly 1000, the reader will note that the container-engaging orwall engaging-first portion 195 preferably comprises a beveled upperportion 221, which portion 221 may preferably overlap the uppercontainer rim 47 as at 222 in FIGS. 65, 70, and 73. The container insert192 of assembly 1000 is thus designed for insertion by the customer,merchant or other end user at the time of serving hot beverage althoughsuch an insert 192 could also be pre-installed by the manufacturer.Assembly 1003 is similar to assembly 1000 at least insofar as the insert192 is preferably separately insertable or installable into the beveragecontainer 46.

Assemblies 1001 and 1002 depart from assemblies 1000 and 1003 byproviding a container-engaging first portion 195 that does not traversethe upper container rim 47, but rather is attached, for example,adhesively, the inner container surfacing as at 193. In both assemblies1001 and 1002, the upper edge 223 of the container-engaging firstportion 195 is preferably positioned in inferior adjacency to the upperrim 47. In the case of assembly 1002, the upper edge 223 of thecontainer-engaging first portion 195 is preferably positioned ininferior adjacency to a lower portion 224 of a bead 225 of the upper rim47. Assemblies 1001 and 1002 are thus preferably assembled by themanufacturer in view of the portion-to-wall attachment(s).

While the above descriptions contain much specificity, this specificityshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as an exemplification of the invention. In certainembodiments, the basic invention may be said to essentially teach ordisclose a beverage or liquid container lid assembly for enabling a userto selectively control beverage or liquid movement(s) therethrough.

The beverage or liquid container lid assembly according to the presentinvention may be said to essentially comprise a primary lid form; asecondary lid attachment rotatable relative to the primary lid form;container attachment means for non-rotatably attaching either theprimary lid form or the secondary lid attachment to a beverage or liquidcontainer; and manually operable means for enabling the user to manuallyrotate the secondary lid attachment relative to the primary lid form.

The primary lid form essentially comprises a primary beverage outlet andthe secondary lid attachment essentially comprises at least one beverageflow diversion structure. The secondary lid attachment is cooperablyengaged with the primary lid form and provides at least one beverageflow or liquid diversion structure having at least one letting aperture.The secondary lid attachment is rotatable relative to the primary lidform about a lid axis of rotation.

The container attachment means are preferably exemplified by arim-engaging groove and function to non-rotatably attach a selectstructure to a beverage or liquid container depending on the particularembodiment in question. Thus, the select structure may be preferablyselected from the group consisting of the primary lid form and thesecondary lid attachment. Manually operable means operable via outer lidsurfacing enable the user to manually locate via rotation of thesecondary lid attachment relative to the primary lid form the beverageor liquid diversion structure relative to the primary beverage or liquidoutlet. The foregoing definitions are believed to cover all embodimentsreferenced at 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 601, and 602.

When the container attachment means non-rotatably attach the secondarylid attachment to the beverage or liquid container as in lid assembly200, the manually operable means are preferably defined by outer lidsurfacing of the primary lid form. When the container attachment meansnon-rotatably attaching the primary lid form to the beverage or liquidcontainer as in lid assemblies 100, 300, 400, 500, 600, 601, and 602,the manually operable means are preferably defined by outer surfacing ofthe secondary lid attachment exemplified by at least one protuberance.

In the case of lid assemblies, 100 and 200, the primary lid forms andthe secondary lid attachments each comprise a radially centralized,downwardly-bowed portion, and the secondary lid attachment isstructurally engaged in inferior adjacency with the primary lid form.The radially centralized, downwardly-bowed portions of the primary lidform and the secondary lid attachment provide an upper lid boundary anda lower lid boundary such that the upper and lower lid boundaries definea beverage-receiving flow channel for effecting heat transfer frombeverage received therein prior to outletting via the primary beverageoutlet.

In the case of lid assemblies 100, 200, and 300, the primary lid formsall comprise a raised upper arc length form and the secondary lidattachments all comprise a raised lower arc length form. The raisedupper and lower arc length forms are nestable and comprise opposed(upper and lower) arc length termini. The opposed arc length terminitogether cooperably provide rotational stop structure for limitingrotation of the secondary lid attachments relative to the primary lidforms.

In the case of lid assemblies 100 and 200, the lower arc length formsboth comprise a radially directed flow return slope structure fordirecting beverage flow toward the beverage-receiving flow channel. Inthe case of lid assembly 300, the raised lower arc length form comprisescircumferentially spaced rail portions intermediate the opposed arclength termini. The opposed arc length termini of the raised upper arclength form comprise rail-receiving notches, and the circumferentiallyspaced rail portions are received in the rail-receiving notches andguided thereby for enhancing the user's ability to selectively open andclose the beverage container lid assembly.

In the case of the beverage container lid assembly 400, the secondarylid attachment is ring-shaped and the primary lid form comprises anannular, ring-receiving channel. The ring-shaped secondary lidattachment is received in the ring-receiving channel in inferioradjacency to the primary lid form. The beverage flow or liquid diversionstructure provides a radially peripheral beverage-receiving flow channelfor effecting heat transfer from beverage received therein prior tooutletting via the primary beverage outlet.

The radially peripheral beverage-receiving flow channel is preferablysloped downwardly and radially outwardly for maximizing flow volumeperipherally and thus enhances heat transfer from beverage prior tooutletting via the primary beverage outlet. The secondary lid attachmentof lid assembly 400 is preferably radially double-walled. The radiallydouble-walled secondary lid attachment provides resilientattachment-to-form engagement within the ring-receiving channel forenhancing beverage flow or liquid diversion control of the lid assembly400.

In the case of lid assembly 500, the secondary lid attachment is alsoring-shaped and the primary lid form also comprises an annular,ring-receiving channel. In structural distinction to lid assembly 400,however, the secondary lid attachment of lid assembly 500 is received inthe ring-receiving channel in superior adjacency to the primary lid formthereby forming an upper, peripheral, beverage-receiving flow channelfor effecting heat transfer from beverage received therein. Similar tothe lid assembly 400, the lid assembly 500 preferably comprises asecondary lid attachment that is radially double-walled for providingresilient attachment-to-form engagement within the ring-receivingchannel.

The lid assemblies 600, 601, and 602 are to be considered among thepreferred embodiments of the present specifications and are believed toall be essentially characterized by an insert-receiving depressionformed in the primary lid form into which depression the respectivesecondary lid attachments are pivotally received. Assemblies 600 and 601are characterized by a ring-shaped secondary lid attachments and anattachment-locating hub also formed as part of the primary lid formwithin the depression. Assembly 602 eliminates the attachment-locatinghub and thus the secondary lid attachment of assembly 602 isdisc-shaped.

Assemblies 600 and 601, being the central focus of the presentspecifications, both provide a beverage or liquid container lid assemblyfor enabling a user to selectively control beverage movementtherethrough. The beverage or liquid container lid assemblies may besaid to essentially comprise primary lid forms as at 15/204 andsecondary lid attachments as at 27/206.

The primary lid forms 15/204 preferably comprise a circular, upperbeverage outlet depression as at 111/208, an attachment-locating hub asat 112 radially central to the circular, upper beverage outletdepression 111/208, a primary beverage outlet as at 21 formed in thecircular, upper beverage outlet depression 111/208, and a rim-receivinggroove as at 48 for non-rotatably attaching the primary lid form 15/204to a beverage container as at 46.

The secondary lid attachments 27/206 are preferably cooperably engagedwith the primary lid forms 15/204 by being received in superioradjacency to at least a portion of the circular, upper beverage orliquid outlet depression 111/208 in radially outer adjacency to theattachment-locating hub 112. The secondary lid attachments 27/206providing at least one beverage or liquid flow diversion structure and aletting aperture as at 39/211.

The secondary lid attachments 27/206 are rotatable relative to theprimary lid forms 15/204 about a lid axis of rotation as at 45 extendingthrough the attachment-locating hub 112 for enabling the user toselectively control beverage or liquid movement from the beverage orliquid container 46 via the at least one beverage or liquid flowdiversion structure, the primary beverage or liquid outlet 21 and theletting apertures 39/211.

The circular, upper beverage or liquid outlet depression 111/208 ispreferably annular about the attachment-locating hub, and theattachment-locating hub 112 is preferably raised relative to upper mostportions of the annular, circular, upper beverage or liquid outletdepression 111/208 as generally depicted in FIG. 54. The circular, upperbeverage or liquid outlet depression 111/208 is preferably off-centeredrelative to the rim-receiving groove 48 as generally depicted in FIGS.54-56.

The circular, upper beverage or liquid outlet depression 111 preferablycomprises a first depression formation as at 115, which first depressionformation 115 extends downwardly relative to the secondary lidattachment 27 for forming a beverage or liquid-receiving compartment ininferior adjacency to the secondary lid attachment 27. The primarybeverage outlet 21 lets beverage or liquid into the beverage orliquid-receiving compartment.

A lid insert as at 116 may be preferably positioned intermediate theprimary lid form 15 and the secondary lid attachment 27 for covering atleast a portion of the first depression formation 115 for providingadditional beverage or liquid flow diversion structure. The lid insert116 preferably comprises a radially outer arc length as at 120 and aletting cutout as t 118 formed at the outer arc length 120 for lettingbeverage or liquid.

The first depression formation 115 extends downwardly intermediate firstand second depression end portions as at 121, which first and seconddepression end portions 121 extend radially from the attachment-locatinghub 112. The lid insert 116 further preferably comprises a radiallyinner arc length as at 122, and opposed linear terminal portions as at123. The radially inner arc length 122 accommodates an outer peripheryof the attachment-locating hub, and the opposed linear terminal portions123 are received adjacent the first and second depression end portions121.

The circular, upper beverage outlet depression 111 may furtherpreferably comprise a second depression formation as at 117, whichsecond depression formation 117 extends downwardly from the firstdepression formation 115 and is radially inwardly defined by achord-like portion as at 124. The second depression formation 117 isthus segment-shaped and the primary beverage outlet 21 is preferablyformed in the second depression formation 117 for letting beverage orliquid thereinto.

The secondary lid attachment 206 is preferably ring-shaped and comprisesa hub-receiving aperture as at 209, which hub-receiving aperture 209receives the attachment-locating hub 112 when the secondary lidattachment 206 is cooperably engaged with the primary lid form 204. Thesecondary lid attachment 206 may further preferably comprise a lettingaperture as at 211 and a tail element as at 212. The primary lid form204 may preferably comprise a tail-receiving depression as at 213coextensive with the circular, upper beverage outlet depression 208.

The tail element 212 comprises tail element termini as at 215 and thetail-receiving depression 213 comprises opposed arc length termini as at214. The tail element 212 is received in the tail-receiving depression213, and the secondary lid attachment 206 is limited in pivotal movementvia engagement of the tail element termini 215 and the opposed arclength termini 214. The letting aperture 211 is thus being selectivelyorientable relative to the primary lid form 204 for selectively lettingbeverage or liquid therethrough. The secondary lid attachment 206 mayfurther comprise a medial plane as at 218 such that a center portion ofthe tail element 212 is preferably located at an offset angle 219 fromthe medial plane 218.

The beverage container insert assembly generally depicted and referencedat 1000 provides a beverage container insert for use in combination witha beverage container and for controlling beverage movements within thebeverage container. The beverage container insert according to thepresent invention preferably and essentially comprises acontainer-engaging first portion (as at 195) and a beverage-dampingsecond portion (as at 196). The beverage-damping second portion isextendable inwardly relative to the wall-engaging first portion andbasically functions to deflect upwardly directed beverage forcontrolling beverage movement within an insert-outfitted beveragecontainer.

Certain preferable options for the beverage container insert include aserrated or sectioned beverage-damping second portion for enablingbeverage or liquid to flow through beverage-letting or liquid-lettingtroughs formed in the serrated beverage-damping second portion. Thebeverage-damping second portion may be resiliently actuable relative tothe container-engaging first portion, and thus the beverage-dampingsecond portion may be (a) resiliently actuable for enabling a stackedinsert-outfitted beverage container arrangement as generally depicted inFIGS. 66-68 and (b) resiliently relaxable for deflecting upwardlydirected beverage as generally depicted in FIG. 73.

Although the inventive beverage or liquid container lid assemblies andbeverage or liquid container inserts according to the present inventionhave been described by reference to a number of different embodiments,it is not intended that the novel combinations or assemblies be limitedthereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included asfalling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure,the appended drawings, and perhaps most importantly, the followingclaims.

I claim:
 1. A beverage container lid assembly for enabling a user toselectively control beverage movement therethrough, the beveragecontainer lid assembly comprising: a primary lid form, the primary lidform comprising a circular, upper beverage outlet depression, anattachment-locating hub radially central to the circular, upper beverageoutlet depression, a primary beverage outlet formed in the circular,upper beverage outlet depression, and a rim-receiving groove fornon-rotatably attaching the primary lid form to a beverage container,the circular, upper beverage outlet depression being off-centeredrelative to the rim-receiving groove; and a secondary lid attachment,the secondary lid attachment being cooperably engaged with the primarylid form by being received in superior adjacency to at least a portionof the circular, upper beverage outlet depression in radially outeradjacency to the attachment-locating hub, the secondary lid attachmentproviding at least one beverage flow diversion structure and a lettingaperture, the secondary lid attachment being rotatable relative to theprimary lid form about a lid axis of rotation extending through theattachment-locating hub for enabling the user to selectively controlbeverage movement from the beverage container via the at least onebeverage flow diversion structure, the primary beverage outlet and theletting aperture.
 2. The beverage container lid assembly of claim 1wherein the circular, upper beverage outlet depression is annular aboutthe attachment-locating hub, the attachment-locating hub being raisedrelative to upper most portions of the annular, circular, upper beverageoutlet depression.
 3. The beverage container lid assembly of claim 1wherein the circular, upper beverage outlet depression comprises a firstdepression formation, the first depression formation extendingdownwardly relative to the secondary lid attachment for forming abeverage-receiving compartment in inferior adjacency to the secondarylid attachment, the primary beverage outlet for letting beverage intothe beverage-receiving compartment.
 4. The beverage container lidassembly of claim 3 comprising a lid insert positioned intermediate theprimary lid form and the secondary lid attachment, the lid insert forcovering at least a portion of the first depression formation forproviding additional beverage flow diversion structure.
 5. The beveragecontainer lid assembly of claim 4 wherein the lid insert comprises aradially outer arc length and a letting cutout formed at the outer arclength for letting beverage.
 6. The beverage container lid assembly ofclaim 5 wherein the first depression formation extends downwardlyintermediate first and second depression end portions, the first andsecond depression end portions extending radially from theattachment-locating hub, the lid insert comprising a radially inner arclength, and opposed linear terminal portions, the radially inner arclength for accommodating an outer periphery of the attachment-locatinghub, the opposed linear terminal portions being received adjacent thefirst and second depression end portions.
 7. The beverage container lidassembly of claim 6 wherein the circular, upper beverage outletdepression comprises a second depression formation, the seconddepression formation extending downwardly from the first depressionformation and being radially inwardly defined by a chord-like portion,the second depression formation thus being segment-shaped, the primarybeverage outlet being formed in the second depression formation forletting beverage thereinto.
 8. The beverage container lid assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the secondary lid attachment is ring-shaped andcomprises a hub-receiving aperture, the hub-receiving aperture receivingthe attachment-locating hub when the secondary lid attachment iscooperably engaged with the primary lid form.
 9. The beverage containerlid assembly of claim 8 wherein the secondary lid attachment comprises atail element, the primary lid form comprising a tail-receivingdepression coextensive with the circular, upper beverage outletdepression, the tail element comprising tail element termini and thetail-receiving depression comprising opposed arc length termini, thetail element being received in the tail-receiving depression, thesecondary lid attachment being limited in pivotal movement viaengagement of the tail element termini and the opposed arc lengthtermini, the letting aperture thus being selectively orientable relativeto the primary lid form for selectively letting beverage therethrough.10. The beverage container lid assembly of claim 9 wherein the secondarylid attachment comprises a medial plane, a center portion of the tailelement being located at an offset angle from the medial plane.
 11. Aliquid container lid assembly for enabling a user to selectively controlliquid movement therethrough, the liquid container lid assemblycomprising: a primary lid form, the primary lid form comprising acircular, upper liquid outlet depression, an attachment-locating hubradially central to the circular, upper liquid outlet depression, aprimary liquid outlet formed in the circular, upper liquid outletdepression, and a rim-receiving groove for non-rotatably attaching theprimary lid form to a liquid container; a secondary lid attachment, thesecondary lid attachment being cooperably engaged with the primary lidform by being received in superior adjacency to at least a portion ofthe circular, upper liquid outlet depression in radially outer adjacencyto the attachment-locating hub, the secondary lid attachment providingat least one liquid flow diversion structure and a letting aperture, thesecondary lid attachment being rotatable relative to the primary lidform about a lid axis of rotation extending through theattachment-locating hub for enabling the user to selectively controlliquid movement from the liquid container via the at least one liquidflow diversion structure, the primary liquid outlet and the lettingaperture; and a lid insert positioned intermediate the primary lid formand the secondary lid attachment, the circular, upper liquid outletdepression comprising a first depression formation, the first depressionformation extending downwardly relative to the secondary lid attachmentfor forming a liquid-receiving compartment in inferior adjacency to thesecondary lid attachment, the primary liquid outlet for letting liquidinto the liquid-receiving compartment, the lid insert for covering atleast a portion of the first depression formation for providingadditional liquid flow diversion structure.
 12. The liquid container lidassembly of claim 11 wherein the circular, upper liquid outletdepression is annular about the attachment-locating hub, theattachment-locating hub being raised relative to upper most portions ofthe annular, circular, upper liquid outlet depression.
 13. The liquidcontainer lid assembly of claim 11 wherein the first depressionformation extends downwardly intermediate first and second depressionend portions, the first and second depression end portions extendingradially from the attachment-locating hub, the lid insert comprising aradially inner arc length, and opposed linear terminal portions, theradially inner arc length for accommodating an outer periphery of theattachment-locating hub, the opposed linear terminal portions beingreceived adjacent the first and second depression end portions.
 14. Theliquid container lid assembly of claim 13 wherein the circular, upperliquid outlet depression comprises a second depression formation, thesecond depression formation extending downwardly from the firstdepression formation and being radially inwardly defined by a chord-likeportion, the second depression formation thus being segment-shaped, theprimary liquid outlet being formed in the second depression formationfor letting liquid thereinto.
 15. The liquid container lid assembly ofclaim 11 wherein the secondary lid attachment is ring-shaped andcomprises a hub-receiving aperture, the hub-receiving aperture receivingthe attachment-locating hub when the secondary lid attachment iscooperably engaged with the primary lid form.
 16. The liquid containerlid assembly of claim 15 wherein the secondary lid attachment comprisesa tail element, the primary lid form comprising a tail-receivingdepression coextensive with the circular, upper liquid outletdepression, the tail element comprising tail element termini and thetail-receiving depression comprising opposed arc length termini, thetail element being received in the tail-receiving depression, thesecondary lid attachment being limited in pivotal movement viaengagement of the tail element termini and the opposed arc lengthtermini, the letting aperture thus being selectively orientable relativeto the primary lid form for selectively letting liquid therethrough. 17.The liquid container lid assembly of claim 16 wherein the secondary lidattachment comprises a medial plane, a center portion of the tailelement being located at an offset angle from the medial plane.